Southeast Asia Visa and Passport Requirements - Laos

Guest Author - Taisha Turner

Entry into Laos requires a passport and visa. A passport valid for six months with a blank page is necessary. A visa for fifteen days is available at Wattay(Vientiane International) Airport, Friendship Bridge, Vientiane and Laung Prabang International Airport. Bring two passport photographs and US$30 to the checkpoint. Immigration will issue one on arrival.

The traveler who wishes to stay longer than fifteen days must apply for a visa before leaving home. Mail two complete applications and passport photos with a signed and valid passport to the Laos embassy in his/her national country. The embassy will issue a thirty-day visa and return the passport to the owner.

It is best for the traveler entering Laos where a visa is not issued at the checkpoint to get his/her visa in their home country. Some border crossings immigration no longer issue visas. It is true fact, it is cheaper to get a visa in Bangkok, but the embassy is very far from the city center. Lots of time is wasted reaching the embassy.

Vientiane Immigration can extend the fifteen day tourist visa for additional fifteen days. The is a fee of US$2 per day. They can extend the thirty-day visa for another thirty days. The tourist who overstays the specified time risk US$10 a day fine and/or arrest.

Need to find the border crossings where Laos visas are issued, use the link provided and read the list? If you go to Laos, remember to sign in with your national embassy. Happy Travels!